MPS drugs strategy action plan 2003-2006

Report: 13
Date: 12 February 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report gives an update on the implementation of the MPS Drugs Strategy 2003-2006, focussing on the Drugs Action Plan. It is a follow-up to the report submitted, to this Committee in October 2004.

The plan has been fundamentally revised and rationalised to take account of progress made over the past 12 months and the new challenges that will present in 2004-2005.

A. Recommendations

That the report be noted.

B. Supporting information

1. Progress towards delivering the Drugs Action Plan, since the last report in May 2003, is shown at Appendix 1. Significantly, there will be a London-wide media and enforcement campaign in March 2004 and the Middle Market Drugs Project is expected to become operational in June.

2. Since the Drugs Strategy was launched in November 2002 much has already been achieved as a result of the original action plan. However, due to changing emphasis the plan has been fully revised for 2004-5 (Appendix 2) The action plan contains key activities with nominated lead Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) or Operational Command Unit (OCU) Commanders that have responsibility for delivering the specific activity within their command. The changes reflect the MPS priorities that have been agreed for delivery through the new policing plan.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Although not a Class ‘A’, drugs consideration, the change in legislation that occurred on 29 January 2004 whereby Cannabis was re-classified from Class B to C, may have significant implications for ‘hit-rates’ under stop and search procedures as the action of seizure of the drugs and taking no further action will not count under arrest figures. The impact of this change is unknown and will be closely monitored in the first quarter of 2004.

D. Financial implications

The financial implications for the implementation of the Drugs action plan were absorbed into priority setting within each budget holder’s accounts in the relevant command in 2003, there is no proposal for additional funding.

E. Background papers

• Appendix 1: Progress with Action Plan 2003/4
• Appendix 2: Updated Action Plan 2004/5

F. Contact details

Report author: Detective Superintendent Kevin Green, Drugs Directorate, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Achievements

Objective 1

Intelligence

• Six monthly strategic assessments now in place
• Internal review of Financial Investigation carried out
• Operational requirements for Financial Investigation identified
• Analysis on mail and controlled deliveries presented to CIDA
• Operation ‘Crackdown’ media and enforcement campaign scheduled for 1-15 March 2004

Targeting

• Bi-monthly tasking and co-ordination meetings held by TP and SCD with NCIS London policing unit now established
• 18 drug trafficking operations initiated at Level 2 criminality
• Middle Market Project with HM Customs now initiated expected launch date June 2004

Forensic Science Support

• Presumptive drug testing pilot sites at Westminster, Hackney, Havering and Camden. MPS Inspection taking place in February 2004 to identify benefits
• MPS now members of Home Office Drugs Detection Working Group

Objective 2

Criminal Justice

• MPS represented on key Home Office committees and working groups
• ACPO Drugs Champion – DAC Alan Brown / CDR Alfred Hitchcock

Financial Investigation

• Operation ‘Payback’ launched jointly by MPS and HM Customs
• Regional Asset Recovery Team launched and supported by MPS
• SLA for delivery of Borough asset seizure agreed and implementation from January 2004

Objective 3

Operation Tower

• Newham Borough piloting prolific offenders project for MPS, evaluation due October 2004

Criminal Justice Intervention Programme (CJIP)

• Pilot extending to 17 Boroughs ( from 12) in April 2004
• Home Office funding negotiated (2004-2006) to provide pan-London CJIP Manager (Chief Inspector) and pan-London Compulsory Drugs Testing Co-ordinator (Band D)
• MPS Data collection methods rationalised to provide up to date performance information

Co-ordination

• Protocols in place with DPA for information sharing on media and publicity issues

Objective 4

Intelligence Sharing and Problem Solving

• DATs have been incorporated into CDRP data sharing protocol
• Pan-London regional drugs availability group planned in conjunction with Government Office London

Arrest Referral

• Arrest referral funding negotiated with Home Office
• Arrest referral PI’s now produced and co-ordinated by National Treatment Agency – First performance information published June 2003
• Evaluation report published by Home Office December 2003
• Young Persons referral now extended nationally as Home Office pilot to 10 Boroughs (MPS – Southwark, Camden and Newham)

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